Hewlett-Packard's chief strategy and technology officer, Shane Robison, is retiring and will not be replaced, the company said Thursday.

Robison has worked at HP for 11 years and also serves as an executive vice president and member of the company's Executive Council. According to his profile on HP's website, he was also responsible for worldwide corporate marketing activities. He will step down, effective Nov. 1.

Robison, who HP said has led many of its biggest acquisitions and played a key role in shaping research investment, is leaving a company rattled by its second CEO change in less than a year. The firing of CEO Leo Apotheker last month also led to some uncertainty about an aggressive set of new initiatives, including a plan to leave the PC business.

HP is now eliminating the role of chief strategy and technology officer as part of an effort to bring strategy, research and development closer to its individual business units, the company said in a press release.

Robison came to HP from Compaq Computer, which the company acquired in 2002. He had also worked at AT&T Labs and Apple.